The former Liverpool star didn't mince words about his ill-fated move to Anfield
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 02: THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT.
Left to Right - Tiago Ilori,Andre Wisdom Dejan Lovren and Mario Balotelli of Liverpool durring the first day back at Training in Melwood Training Ground on 1st July, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Mario Balotelli's time at Liverpool ended in failure(Image: Getty Images)
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Mario Balotelli said signing for Liverpool was "the worst mistake of my life" before revealing he didn't get on with Jurgen Klopp. Once the most popular Italian footballer in world football, the 36-year-old's dwindling career coincided with his nation's declining footballing status, with Italy in action on Friday against France in the Nations League.
Balotelli was coming off the best goalscoring season of his career when joining the Reds in a £16million deal, after scoring 18 goals in 41 games across all competitions for AC Milan. However, his stint at Anfield was brief, netting just four times in 28 appearances.
The lack of suitability to Brendan Rodgers' style of play and inconsistency in front of goal saw Balotelli fall out of favour. He managed just seven league appearances in the last six months of the season.
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Rodgers' experiment to unlock Balotelli's superb talent crashed and burned and the striker was subsequently loaned back to Milan. He failed to show the same form in Serie A that earned him his move to the Reds, as he scored a mere three goals in 23 games for the Italian giants.
A return to Merseyside beckoned after his temporary stint ended, but he was left out of the club's pre-season tour by Klopp, who was beginning his first full season in charge after replacing Rodgers in October 2015.
Mario Balotelli celebrates scoring
Mario Balotelli scored just four goals in 28 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Balotelli remained out of action for summer friendlies before joining Ligue 1 side Nice on a free transfer on deadline day. He made an immediate impact in France by scoring twice on his debut in a 3-2 win over Marseille, and he subsequently didn't mince words when discussing his decision to sign for Liverpool.
He said: "It was the worst mistake of my life. Apart from the fans, who were fantastic with me, I must be honest, and the players, who I had a good rapport with, I didn't like the club."
He then took aim Rodgers and Klopp and explained: "I had two coaches, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. As people they didn't make a good impression on me. I didn't get along with them."
Jurgen Klopp Head Coach of Liverpool FC celebrates the victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2021/22 Group Stage - Group B football match between AC Milan and Liverpool FC
The Italian said he didn't get on well with Jurgen Klopp(Image: Getty Images)
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Balotelli has gone on to have a journeyman-like career over the last 10 years, having played for the likes of Marseille, Brescia, Monza, Adana Demirspor, Sion, Genoa and now Al-Ittifaq in the UAE.
His last cap for Italy came in 2018 and he ended his international career with 14 goals in 36 games. He famously scored both goals in their 2-1 win over Germany to reach the Euro 2012 final, but they then lost 4-0 to Spain.
The four-time world champions have dramatically fallen in stature in recent years despite winning Euro 2020 after beating England on penalties. They've missed the last three World Cup tournaments, with their last goal in the competition being Balotelli's strike in their 2-1 win over the Three Lions in 2014.